Dear Sunday Morning Worshipers,

A notion hit me the other day as we finished up the Michael movie during family movie night: the fans were crazy about Michael Jackson. They were screaming, crying, dancing, going all out nuts for him. Don’t get me wrong, I've been a MJ fan since I was a little girl. If I wasn’t so white girl with my rhythm I would have rocked every dance move he did. Alas, I am like Elaine… have you ever seen Elaine dance? It’s like a full body dry heave set to music! Whoa, sidetracked, back to what I was saying. I know it was just a movie, but the truth is it was probably pretty accurate. I saw the same mentality with little girls and the Jonas Brothers and Taylor Swift fans. People go bonkers. Of course that led my ADD mind to think about how we lack similar responses when it comes to praising our Lord and Savior. I mean seriously, homie took the beating of the century by flagrum, had to carry His own cross on that raw exposed flesh and then hung on a cross for us. I cry when I get a splinter in my hand, can you imagine how many splinters He had in His shoulder and back from carrying that cross? It makes me cringe. Crazy part… He did it with love for YOU because you are His favorite and He LOVES you. Oh don’t worry, I’m His favorite too. We all are. Jesus does not have favorites. He loves us ALL desperately and equally. 

My thought was this, David danced for God. David loved God deeply and unashamed even before he became King of Judah and later Israel. David whirled about playing music, he laughed with joy as the Ark entered the City of David. I imagine all of those present danced, sang and most likely cried tears of jubilation during this event. Psalms 149:3 (NKJV) says “let them praise His name with the dance” Psalm 150:3-4 “Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!” When did believers stop loving God passionately? When did it become awkward for us to show outward gratitude to our Creator and Savior? Sure there are dominations that raise their hands during praise and worship. I even sway as I sing. But why are we not jumping for joy, dancing in triumph, belting out with everything inside us. Where are the smiles of happiness, the tears of exultation? 

We should be shouting to the world with delight that Christ conquered the grave. I challenge my fellow believers to dance for God. Let glee be written on your face as you sing to the Savior this Sunday. Be like my children and all their fellow campers at church camp this week and jump for joy as you worship. Be unafraid to raise your eyes, your voice, your hands to the King of Kings… Yadah! Skip down to your seat. Shake hands of someone you don’t know and tell them you’re happy to be in the house of the Lord with them. Come alive! Because Jesus has given you life!

Sincerely,

Rambling Roxy